Lil Pump's "Gucci Gang" is currently #3 on Billboard Top 100 Songs and I don't have a problem with it at all. Although, I am willing to bet someone's uncle is at the Thanksgiving table right now complaining about how "these kids these days can't actually rap!"
Spoiler: It's my uncle doing the complaining.
It's true that he can't rap, and it's also true he's an idiot but in our generation we appreciate what's sensually attractive and there's nothing wrong with that.
Anyone born before 1990 assumes that all music has to possess some calculated, significant meaning. That's nice and all but what if I'm not listening to learn or sympathize, what if I'm just intoxicated and want to jump around a bit?
Simply just listening to music for shits and giggles is not a crime, I swear.
Our generation isn't at fault, we grew up into the prime of Brittney Spears and Katy Perry, who single-handedly altered the lives of teenage girls across the world by setting trends in fashion and attitude.
As for us guys, we have grown from the downfall of the Jonas Brothers to the uprising of Lil Pump, who openly promotes the usage of lean and marijuana.
Pro tip: Don't sip lean, I hear it's "liquid crack."
We've always appreciated and embraced our uniqueness, we are not going to tolerate criticism now from someone who drives to work everyday in pure silence.
Cardi B's "Bodak Yellow" is #5 on the Billboard's Top 100 songs and people are still critiquing her because the lyrics behind it are empowering women all over. We're about to be in 2018, why are we still not allowing our women to thrive?
Music is a huge part of my identity and culture and I'm sure this is a universal statement therefore we shouldn't standardized it based on what foundation was set before. There's new songs everyday, which means new fans and which ultimately results in a new trend.
So what Ugly God has a song called "Fuck Ugly God" or Dexter claims he gets his "Drip From My Walk."
Those songs deserve just as much recognition as a Kendrick or J. Cole songs. Their impact may not be monumental or make a socially justice statement but it makes someone happy regardless of the texture of the lyrics.
Lastly, I would just like to touch on the fact that certain artists do have a certain image they are trying to portray but that does not mean their music is dictated to a certain demographic.
For example, my favorite rapper right now, Lud Foe. All his music consists of dangerous crimes, drugs and fornicating with hoes. Although that is his life, that does not limit his fan-base to guys who murder and make money everyday.
His music is for open-ears and open-minds, not mouths.
I appreciate every shape and form of music my generation generates, can you say the same about yours' Grandpa?